Giveaway!

One of the fun things about blogging is participation in various blog events. There are the weekly events and the occasional giveaways. Be sure to check out Carol’s lovely blog, My Painting Room.

She is giving away a pair of silvery bird figurines, which are sure to be delightful accessories for vignettes and other tabletop arrangements.


You may gain more chances to win by following her blog and by posting about her giveaway.
When you visit, be sure to let her know Carrie sent you.

Mosaic Monday - Valentine Collage

I haven’t been able to participate in Mosaic Monday for quite some time but I just played around with photos from my Valentine posts and made a new mosaic.

Visit Mary at Little Red House for more creative photo collages. Thanks, Mary, for this fun blog event.

Since I show some of my blue and white dishes (“Out of the Blue” by Spode), I will link to Sally’s Blue Monday also. The little blue and white sign plate reads “The heart that loves is always young.”

Go to Smiling Sally for more blue-themed posts.

Show and Tell and Partying With Laurie

Laurie is having a Valentine’s Day party! Go to her blog for a fabulous post showcasing her flair and personality, as well as her creativity and skill in using graphic software.

Visit Cindy at My Romantic Home for links to other Show and Tell participants.

My table setting for Valentine’s Day is not very feminine in consideration for two boys in their late teens (plus my brother) who will be at the table. See yesterday’s post for the tablesetting details.

In a corner in the dining room is a small bachelor’s chest with a small display:

A closer look shows heart-shaped containers including a shell box from St. Thomas, US V.I. brought by my brother and his wife.

On the red paper hearts are shells made into hearts from my mother.

A Valentine’s card I received from my mother many years ago is framed in a white metal frame.

The living room coffee table has four heart frames with family photos and a small heart dish with pastel mints.

In the kitchen the top of the microwave and a small shelf display Valentine cards:

In the entrance a small table displays a small framed heart of dried flowers, and a heart pomander brought from Italy by a friend.

The colors of the two items coordinate well with the ceramic vase holding gilt paper and blue silk flowers.

Under the table, a cement angel from the summer garden rests in front of a round mirror.

Thank you for stopping by today. I would love to ready your comment!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Tablescape Thursday – Ruby Red for Valentine’s Day

The dining room table is set for dinner for family on Sunday, Valentine’s Day.

I chose to use ruby red Avon "Cape Cod" glass dishes, placed on oval embroidered place mats. Cape Cod goblets set on white paper lace doilies as coasters are accompanied by matching tumblers for water.

The napkins have lace corners and are set in the Cape Cod napkin rings. The flatware is Oneida "Raphael" stainless.

The centerpiece includes two Cape Cod vases with white flowers, set on white paper lace heart doilies. In between the vases a Cape Cod footed bowl holds a decoupage heart-shaped box on a white paper lace heart, next to a larger decoupage heart box made by one of my sisters.

For some Valentine charm, three white ceramic cupids sit on red paper hearts and hold dried rose buds.

The two end settings have paper lace heart doilies with heart shaped candy tins.

The side setting plates have heart shaped candy boxes.

At first I had planned to use a pale pink tablecloth, but decided to use these placemats for a less frilly look. The dark dishes and glass ware are given visual relief with the light colored napkins and place mats. The touches of red and white reinforce the Valentine theme.

Be sure to visit our hostess Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more Tablescape Thursday posts.

Metamorphosis Monday – New Foyer Light

I have been waiting for a long time to change out the ceiling light in the foyer. The fixture was a large smoke glass globe, put in when the house was built in 1988. Here it is before the walls were painted a soft green.

The new one is from Lamps Plus.com and is a pendant glass fixture suspended with a three-prong holder.

It has a soft pattern etched on the glass.

A stained glass nativity set on the ledge (with its soft blues and other pastels) looks good against the light green paint of the walls.

This post is linked to Metamorphosis Monday, hosted by Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. Go there for a listing of more transformations.

It is also linked to Blue Monday, sponsored by our gracious Sally at Smiling Sally.. Visit her for lovely blues.

New Year Greeting

This New Year’s Eve I wish to thank all my blogger friends for your generosity and good will thoughout 2009.

For 2010 I wish you all a Prosperous and Healthy New Year, full of Creativity and Personal Growth.

A Christmas Prayer by Robert L. Stevenson

Tablescape Thursday – Ivory, Green and Gold

The Dining Room table is set for Christmas dinner with family tomorrow.


As I stated last year, this tablesetting has been used for many years (with few variations) and enjoyed by family and friends. Its monochromatic color scheme mutes the opulence and provides a pleasant setting for a festive holiday meal.
The theme begins with Lenox “Holiday” china on gold lacquered chargers. The cream dishes have a border of green holly.

The centerpiece is Lenox China Jewels nativity set on a runner of embroidered Lenox “Holiday” linen. Strands of gold and silver beads add sparkle. Narrow green ribbon is strung with green glass ornaments which pick up the color of the green goblets with clear stems. So do green stars scattered on the runner.


The ivory Lenox “China Jewels” nativity is quite extensive with many pieces, each embellished with jewel toned decorations and gold.



The bowls set on each dinner plate include rimmed soup, cream soup and stand, and occasional bowls on dessert plates. The gold flatware coordinates with the gold rim on the china.


In the corner of the room is a tabletop tree with musical instrument ornaments, The garland to the kitchen and the one into the dining room also display musical instruments.

Be sure to visit our hostess Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more Tablescape Thursday posts.

Merry Christmas to One and All!